Heavy snow is returning to the Sierra and rain and gusty winds to the Valley this weekend.The KCRA 3 weather team is calling Saturday an Impact Day due to heavy Sierra snowfall expected throughout the day and travel is not recommended. Monday, MLK Day, is also an Impact Day as a second storm with similar strength is expected to move through. | Clear here for Caltrans road conditions | Click here for the latest storm coverage updates | | How to sign up for county emergency alerts | Send us your weather pictures and videoSNOWTravelers should be aware that travel through the mountains will be difficult and at times impossible this holiday weekend.Meteorologist Eileen Javora says the Sierra will see steady and at times heavy snow throughout the day on Saturday. Snow levels will drop to 4,000 feet by the afternoon and evening. Snowfall amounts on Saturday alone may reach over 2 feet above 6,000 feet.Snow showers on Sunday could amount to several inches in the Sierra. A second storm will move in late Sunday night and produce more heavy snow and strong winds on MLK Day on Monday.| VIDEO BELOW | MLK holiday weekend travelers and snow cause major traffic delays in SierraRAIN AND WINDOn Saturday, widespread moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to move through the Valley. Rain began before sunrise and the most intense rain will end by mid-afternoon with patchy showers lingering through the evening. Winds will be gustiest between 9-11 a.m. in the Valley at 40 to 45 mph. That means there could be more damage to trees and power outages. A few embedded thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon along with a period of some gusty winds and small hail. Rotation in these storms is not out of the question, Javora said. Those traveling to the Bay Area should anticipate travel issues related to flooding from the past week.Sunday will include some showers but also quite a bit of dry breaks. Monday’s storm is looking like it will take a more southerly path so the San Joaquin Valley may see some of the steadiest rain. Breezy winds are expected on Monday with gusts of 30-40 mph. Check interactive Doppler radar(App users, click here to see interactive radar.)Real-time traffic map(App users, click here to see our real-time traffic map.)Follow our KCRA weather team on social mediaChief Meteorologist Mark Finan on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Eileen Javora on FacebookMeteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist/Climate Reporter Heather Waldman on Facebook and TwitterWatch our forecasts on TV or onlineHere’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.
Heavy snow is returning to the Sierra and rain and gusty winds to the Valley this weekend.
The KCRA 3 weather team is calling Saturday an Impact Day due to heavy Sierra snowfall expected throughout the day and travel is not recommended. Monday, MLK Day, is also an Impact Day as a second storm with similar strength is expected to move through.
| Clear here for Caltrans road conditions | Click here for the latest storm coverage updates | | How to sign up for county emergency alerts | Send us your weather pictures and video
SNOW
Travelers should be aware that travel through the mountains will be difficult and at times impossible this holiday weekend.
Meteorologist Eileen Javora says the Sierra will see steady and at times heavy snow throughout the day on Saturday.
Snow levels will drop to 4,000 feet by the afternoon and evening.
Snowfall amounts on Saturday alone may reach over 2 feet above 6,000 feet.
Snow showers on Sunday could amount to several inches in the Sierra.
A second storm will move in late Sunday night and produce more heavy snow and strong winds on MLK Day on Monday.
| VIDEO BELOW | MLK holiday weekend travelers and snow cause major traffic delays in Sierra
RAIN AND WIND
On Saturday, widespread moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to move through the Valley.
Rain began before sunrise and the most intense rain will end by mid-afternoon with patchy showers lingering through the evening.
Winds will be gustiest between 9-11 a.m. in the Valley at 40 to 45 mph. That means there could be more damage to trees and power outages.
A few embedded thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon along with a period of some gusty winds and small hail. Rotation in these storms is not out of the question, Javora said.
Those traveling to the Bay Area should anticipate travel issues related to flooding from the past week.
Sunday will include some showers but also quite a bit of dry breaks.
Monday’s storm is looking like it will take a more southerly path so the San Joaquin Valley may see some of the steadiest rain.
Breezy winds are expected on Monday with gusts of 30-40 mph.
Check interactive Doppler radar
(App users, click here to see interactive radar.)
Real-time traffic map
(App users, click here to see our real-time traffic map.)
Follow our KCRA weather team on social media
Watch our forecasts on TV or online
Here’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.
We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.